VESTAVIA HILLS, Alabama - A flurry of police activity in the Vestavia Hills community of Liberty Park Thursday sparked some worry among neighbors, but officials say there was no cause for concern.

A second-grader was put in a patrol car, but it's only because he won a school auction to catch a ride to school in a police cruiser. "We do this rather frequently for various local fundraisers related to the schools,'' said police spokesman Lt. Brian Gilham. "We also offer 'Chief for a Day.'''

Liberty Park Elementary student Chandler Peeples and several of his closest friends were picked up at their homes and escorted to the school. "The opportunity continues to grow in popularity,'' Gilham said. "We get reports that the auction is highly contested."

"We think it is great,'' Gilham said. "The opportunity to see the smiles on the children's faces makes it all worthwhile."